When the cause isn't obvious, shops charge to find it. That's fair: real diagnosis takes time, tools, and skill. What matters is knowing the terms up front.
Ask before you agree
- How much is the fee, and how much time or testing does it cover?
- Is it credited toward the repair if I have you do the work?
- Will I get written findings and an itemized repair estimate?
- Will you call me before doing anything beyond the diagnosis?
ShopCheck shops must disclose diagnostic fees up front, and you can compare diagnostic offers from several shops before choosing one.